DHAKA, Sept 20, 2024 (BSS) - The people have been requested to extend cooperation to law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and harmony in the three hill districts and calming the ongoing tension.
 
The request was made in a press release of Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) today.
 
In the press release, leading individuals have been requested to immediately assist the law enforcement agencies in deescalating the ongoing tension in view of the various incidents taken place in the three hill districts from September 18 till today (Friday).
 
It said necessary legal actions will be taken by identifying the real culprits through proper investigation.
 
On September 18, one named Md Mamun, 30, son of late Nur Nabi, was lynched by a group of unruly people centering stealing of a motorcycle
at Khagrachhari district town.
 
Later, Sadar thana police members recovered the body of the deceased and handed it over to the family after the post-mortem.
 
In the afternoon on the next day on September 19, a procession was brought out from Dhighinala College centering the incident.
 
When the procession was crossing Boalkhali Bazar in Dighinala, some terrorists of UPDF (main) carried out attacks on the procession and fired 20 to 30 rounds of bullets.
 
In view of this, the angry mob set fire to some shops in Boalkhali Bazar.
 
During the clash, six people from both sides were injured and they were sent to Dighinala Upazila Health Complex and Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital for treatment.
 
Later, an army patrol team reached the spot and brought the situation under control and doused the fire with the help of the fire brigade and locals.
 
In the wake of these incidents, tensions spread over Khagrachari district town, Dighinala, Panchari and surrounding areas. At the same time, some vested quarters spread rumors through social media and gradually escalated the tension.
 
An urgent virtual meeting was held with the deputy commissioner in the chair to quickly bring the law and order situation under control in Khagrachhari district.
 
A decision was taken to conduct joint patrol by army, BGB, police and Ansar forces in all upazilas including Khagrachhari sadar, Dighinala and Panchari on the night of September 19 to keep the situation under control.
 
In addition, after holding discussions, various community leaders were asked to advise all parties to refrain from violent activities.
 
On the same night (September 19), an agitated mob led by UPDF (main) created obstruction when a patrol team of Khagrachhari zone reached Swanirvar area of Khagrachhari town while shifting a critical patient.
 
At one stage, UPDF terrorists opened fire on army patrol team members, forcing the army to retaliate in self-defence. It was known that three people were killed and some were injured in the incident, said the release.
 
Following the same incident in Panchari of Khagrachhari district, local mobs stopped the motorcycles of some youths, attacked them and beaten up them with sticks. At the same time, the agitated mob led by the UPDF vandalized the fire brigade office.
 
In the morning today, local people gathered in Rangamati Gymnasium area in the district town under the banner of the "Hill Students Movement Against Conflict and Discrimination" under the arrangement of Pahari Chhatra Parishad, supported by the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS).
 
At this time, between 800-1000 people took out a procession and marched towards the Banarupa area, where they vandalised and set fire to Banarupa Market Mosque, Agrani Bank, Janata Bank, CNG auto-rickshaws, motorcycles, and some shops.
 
As a result, several people from both sides were injured.
 
Section 144 was imposed in Rangamati town to bring the situation under control.